The module consists of 6 thematic blocs:

Part 1: Kick-off and introduction [online, live]

Reading assignment 01: McCormick, chapter 1 & 2 [pp. 1-44]

1. Short introduction into the module
2. Administrative issues and expectations management

Part 2: The history of European integration [2 video lectures; one flipped classroom session for Q&A and discussion]

Reading assignment 02: McCormick, chapter 3 [pp. 45-66]

1. Visions of a united Europe before 1950
2. From Schuman-Plan to the EEC
3. From EEC to Maastricht
4. From Maastricht via Amsterdam and Nice to Lisbon
5. The EU since Lisbon

Part 3: How to explain European integration? [1 video lecture; one flipped classroom session for Q&A and discussion] [Responsible Teacher: Prof. Dr. Petr Kaniok, Masaryk University]

Reading assignment 03: Nugent, chapter 23 [pp. 417-444]

1. What is a theory?
2. What is EU integration theory?
3. Selected theoretic perspectives on EU integration
4. Explanatory factors behind European integration (external and internal)

Part 4: Current challenges of the EU [1 video lecture; one flipped classroom session for Q&A and discussion]

Reading assignment 04: Carnegie Europe, The Impact of Crises on the EU

1. The EU as a global actor
2. The EU as an actor in development policy
3. Brexit 
4. Anti-EU populism in Europe
5. The war in Ukraine and the EU-Russia-relationship
6. The question of legitimacy
7. Migration into and within the European Union

Part 5: The future of the European Union [1 video lecture; one flipped classroom session for Q&A and discussion]

Reading assignment 05: Conference on the Future of Europe – Report on the final outcome (May 2022) [get and overview; no need to read whole report]

1. Looking into the future: Methods of forecasting
2. The future of enlargement
3. The future of the institutional development of the EU
4. The role of the EU in a future world order

Block 6: Student presentations [uploaded videos of student presentations and discussion in virtual forum]

Block 7: Wrap up [live, online]

1. 1. Wrap up and evaluation
   2. Exam preparation

During this term, the course will be taught in flipped on-line format. For each week, students will have short pre-recorded video presentations covering introductions into the respective topics as well as reading assignments or other learning resources (available online). It is recommended to watch the video in preparation of each class. The contact on-line meetings will be used for students´ questions on particular topics and for discussion. 

Students can ask questions either during meeting or in written form (submission to a specific discussion forum online). 

Course material (including recommended or required reading)

• 5 reading assignments 
• Reading assignment 01: McCormick, chapter 1 & 2 [pp. 1-44]
• Reading assignment 02: McCormick, chapter 3 [pp. 45-66]
• Reading assignment 03: Nugent, chapter 23 [pp. 417-444]
• Reading assignment 04: Carnegie Europe, The Impact of Crises on the EU
• Reading assignment 05: Conference on the Future of Europe – Report on the final outcome (May 2022) [get and overview; no need to read whole report]
• 5 extended PPT presentations as introductions to blocks 1-5
• 5 pre-recorded Video lectures
• Guiding questions for the preparation of flipped classroom sessions
• Guidelines for student presentations 
• Forum for discussion among participants with respect to student presentations
• Additional links to online resources

Division of contents

Content is divided in 5 thematic blocs, one block for student presentations, one final wrap up session, and one final exam (remote). 

Grading scheme

The grading is based on the following assignments:

• Short oral presentation: Students choose one research question (list of research questions available online) related to the theme of the module. They conduct research individually and present the answer to the research question in a short uploaded video of presentation. Duration of the presentation is 5-10 minutes. All participants engage in a short discussion in the web-forum lined to each video presentation.Each presentation will be graded on F/P basis with 20 points. Each presentation has to be uploaded in due time (due dates for presentations will be communicated in the first live meetings of the module) – delayed
  submissions will be graded as failed with 0 points.
• Final exam: The exam will consist of 8 questions per 10 points. The questions will be focused on topics included in the assigned readings/class sessions. Overall value up to 80 points. Exam test will take place on remote basis. 

Interesting and helpful additional resources

• Comprehensive overview on the public opinion about the European Union (“Eurobarometer” 2020): https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/survey/getsurveydetail/instruments/standard/surveyky/2262  
• Helpful and short introduction to the history of the EU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VCYHTGjr-U
• Interesting online lecture by Nicolo Conti on EU institutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b9-uZmgX6E

Evaluation scale

In sum, students can achieve 100 points.

The grading scale is as follows:

Criteria for grading will be communicated to participants during block 1 (introduction).

The course is offered within the Erasmus funded VERSATILE project. The course is open to second, third- and fourth-year students at the participating universities.

• Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
• University of Derby (UK)
• Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
• Masaryk University (Czech Republic)